Crocodile Stitch Boots

You’ll enjoy walking around the house in these comfy boots! Pattern includes the following sizes: Infant's 0-6 (6-12) mos; Child's 5-7 (8-10, 11-13); Adult's 6-7 (8-9, 10). The infant boots are made using a fingering-weight yarn and the child and adult sizes are made using worsted-weight yarn.

I love love love these slippers. If you are a tight stitcher you have to keep that in mind with all patterns you work will, that is why doing a test swatch is so important, you can save yourself a lot of headaches. I have always enjoyed the crocodile stitch, so I appreciate having a pattern that introduces the stitch.

The pattern is well-written and easy to follow, and the finished product looks great. I have only two complaints with it:

The sizing seems way off for the adult boots. First of all, I had to use a larger crochet hook than specified to reach the gauge (5.00 mm vs. 3.75 mm). Secondly, the sizing itself seems to run too small. My mother wears a size 7, so I made the size 6-7 boots to begin with. They ended up being far too small and tight. I took them apart and remade them using the size 8-9 pattern. They were STILL too small and tight. So, I took them apart yet again, and hopefully they will turn out properly with the size 10 pattern and a 5.50 mm hook. I admit I am a "tight" stitcher when it comes to crochet, but having obtained the proper gauge by using a larger hook should've meant a proper fit. So, knowing this, I have a suggestion to others who stitch tightly: use a larger hook, and start with the boot pattern one size larger than you would normally wear. Also, finish ONE sole and ONE body stitching before starting a second one. By finishing the sole and body stitching for only one bootie first, you will have a sort of "slipper" that you can use to determine if it will fit. This way, if it's a little too big or small, you have much less work invested, and it'll be easier to take apart and redo.

Also, if you're making the size 8-9 adult booties, notice that the pattern for the sole ends on an even row count (44), as opposed to the odd row counts for the other two sizes (41/47). It is not mentioned in the pattern, but it will affect the way in which you stitch the last round (sole edging - you will basically complete a 45th row with the first 6 stitches of the sole edging) and how you determine the placement for the stitch markers. Rather than counting 22 stitches counterclockwise, as specified, you will have to count the stitches clockwise, still starting with the last stitch of the edging as #1. Then, proceed counting clockwise for the second stitch marker in the 53rd stitch from the first marker. You will still end up with 48 stitches in the front (toe) section, and 54 stitches in the back (heel) section. Keep in mind that you will still begin the body stitches as directed in the pattern (with the "right side" of your work facing you, toe section at the top, the stitch marker on the left.)

I hope this helps at least a few people avoid confusion and frustration. :)

Love this pattern! Have made several pairs for friends children and they are just the right warmth for Washington state weather! Once I got the hang of making the scales it was smooth sailing, took a few attempts but well worth the effort, so glad I stuck with it the results are fantastic!